20 Questions: NFL Week 6

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L.T., the Vikings, Ricky Williams, and LaVar.

By Jon Robinson

Note to the Vikings: A captain is supposed to go down with the ship, not on the ship. Just thought I'd clear that up.

Now that that's out of the way, we can focus on Week 6 of the NFL season, an unbelievable week that at one time saw two games go into overtime, two games tied, and Washington throwing the ball into the end zone with a chance to push KC towards sudden death.

It was a also a week that continued the trend of terrible, some (well, mostly just Jim Haslett) would even go so far as to call them "chickensh*t" officials deciding games with yellow flags, pushing the penalty rate to the highest point in the history of the NFL.

The ridiculous thing is, there are games where flags are dropped and no visible penalties occurred, then other games where there is obvious holding going on and teams breaking the rules clear as day (I'm talking about you, Atlanta) and for some reason the refs turn their backs.

The Saints aren't the first team to be robbed this season, and unfortunately, if the trend continues, they won't be the last.

Which leads me to my first question&#Array;

1. Can anything else go wrong for the Saints?

Hurricane, torn roof, torn ACL, play home game at opponent's home, move to Texas, backup QB lines up under guard, lose games you should win, win games you should lose, screwed by the refs. This is the story of the 2005 Saints, a team where nothing, and I mean nothing seems to go their way. I can't even imagine what it's like to deal with playing a game when your home has been destroyed, your family is forced to move, kids forced to change schools, and a lot of your fan base might never return to the city you all used to call home. Your mind just wouldn't be in the game, and it's understandable. Now top it off with the loss of Deuce for the season and losing to Atlanta in a game where the refs should be the ones wearing the brown paper bags, and you have a team left shaking their heads, and a coach who is about to be a little lighter in the wallet because of his outburst against the men in stripes. Let's hope the NFL donates the money to Hurricane Katrina relief so at least some good comes from that game.

2. Is it hot in here or is it just the Giants?

Ever wonder why a home team chooses a particular side of the stadium for their sidelines? Pam Oliver of FOX dropped a tidbit during the Cowboys/Giants game that blew me away. With the angle the sun comes in through Texas Stadium, the Giants sideline was 20-25-degrees hotter than the Cowboys sideline. That's what I call home field advantage.

3. Why trust Ricky Williams?

8 carries, 5 yards. That's what you sell your soul for these days if you're the Dolphins. This is a guy who walked out on teammates and the organization so he can explore the high times of a Holistic Healer. The only reason he's back is because he's broke, and he actually had the nerve to say "I think I played well" after his amazing 5-yard performance.

4. Ever meet Ricky?

Here is a quick Ricky Williams story: A few years ago (back when he used to wear helmets while being interviewed years ago) I ran into Ricky at a Super Bowl party and I heard he was a big gamer. So I go up to him and introduce myself and he's looking at me like I'm speaking Tagalog or something. All of a sudden, something about playing videogames and having the munchies registers and he looks at me, eyes half open and says: "When the wind moves the clouds and the moon beams, it's a beautiful night&#Array;and I love playing Madden." Who knows, it was loud, maybe I misunderstood and he really said something about moving the crowd and Jim Beam, but my point is he was standing there waiting for a response, (I don't have the best poker face in the world), and I seriously couldn't think of anything to say, so I was like "It's no Tecmo Bowl," and walked away.

5. What's the latest way the Lions found to lose?

Weinke to Proehl. Never thought I would see the day. R-Dub did his best on the kickoff return late in the game, but once the game was left up to Harrington and the offense, the game was essentially over. Although I have to admit, Harrington made a perfect throw late in the contest only to have the pass dropped.

6. Who are the top young corners to keep an eye on?

Rashean Mathis of the Jaguars and Darrent Williams of the Broncos. Mathis won the game for the Jags by picking a Tommy Maddox pass and taking it to the house in OT, while Williams blitzed the hell out of the Pats, using every ounce of his 5-8, 188-pound frame to smack any defending champ in sight. These guys might not be on the casual fan's radar just yet, but it's only a matter of time.

7. Does Gregg Williams drink Haterade?

In what might be the ultimate case of player hating, LaVar Arrington continues to sit on the end of the Redskins bench even if that means costing the Redskins games. Late in the 4th quarter against KC, the Redskins needed a turnover. How about blitzing a fresh LaVar off the end? They say LaVar doesn't practice hard. That he shouldn't be rewarded on gameday. That he freelances out on the field too much to fit the system. Isn't this the same guy who was named to three straight Pro Bowls? The same guy who led his position in sacks. Now his job is to sit next to the water cooler and give pounds to players coming off the field instead of putting him out there when he can mean the difference between a win and a loss, between the Redskins making the playoffs or sitting at home come January. Does this have to do with the grievance LaVar and his agent filed against the Redskins regarding his contract? Or is this a case of the coaching staff making an example out of a player, making it clear to the rest of the team that no job is safe? This is a healthy, hungry Pro Bowl player earning a DNP for a defense in need of a big play. And who on that defense is capable of making a bigger play than LaVar, especially on the blitz?

8. Where are the good guys at?

It's easy to be cynical and talk loud about Ron Mexico, The Whizzinator, and The Love Boat cruise the Vikings took the other day, but you need to remember there is also a lot of good around the NFL. My favorite image of the day was Priest Holmes on the sidelines holding his son after scoring a touchdown. Pictures like that help keep everything in perspective. You'd think a guy like Priest would have more national endorsements. He's a great guy, a great interview, and you know he's not going to go out and do something to make your company regret being associated with him. He's also a damn good chess player who spends a lot of his spare time playing competitive chess online.

9. What was the hit of the day?

Asante Samuel layed the smackdown on Broncos TE Jeb Putzier early in their game. Putzier had the last laugh, though, somehow coming back into the game after being laid out to make a key first down catch in the 4th quarter to help Denver run out the clock.

10. Sorry, still thinking about that cruise&#Array;

You'd think if you were going to throw a wild sex party on a boat, you would talk to the crew beforehand and make sure they were cool with it. That way, when the party starts poppin', they don't turn the boat around and turn you in to the police. Thinking about the whole situation, all the Vikings really needed was a better cruise coordinator and they would've gotten away with it.

11. How do I get that job?

I'll work for tips. That's right, I said tips not ti&#Array;all I'm saying is the money would be good.